The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Democratic Alliance strongly condemns the recent statement by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) opposing the introduction of public-private-partnerships (PPPs) in state hospitals. Nehawu is clearly living in the past and does not seem to realise that assistance from the private sector will greatly improve the health and wellbeing of South Africans, especially the poor, whilst also helping to promote sustainable economic development.

The further threat by Nehawu that there will be "blood on the floor" should the government try and impose PPPs without proper consultation clearly shows their disregard for the health care needs of poor patients, who have for too long been subjected to an ever deteriorating health care service.

Public hospitals often do not have the staff, equipment and medicines to treat basic conditions and South Africa is one of only a few countries in the world where the number of children dying due to inadequate health care is growing. Our failing public health system is also to blame for the fact that maternal mortality rates are increasing.

The DA wants to see the tendering of the management of all hospitals in the public sector starting with the worst hospital, Frere Hospital in the Eastern Cape, where nearly 200 babies were still born in one year in 2008.

The DA believes that in order to reduce the long queues at dispensaries in hospitals we need to allow patients with repeat prescriptions to choose a pharmacy most convenient to them to collect their medication instead of them having to take a day's leave to sit in long queues when it should only take half an hour.

The ANC government has repeatedly shown that it is incapable of improving healthcare delivery beyond the bare minimum. It is time Nehawu pulled its head out of the sand and realised that the only way to better the quality of health care for all South Africans is through PPPs.